deep south 2013

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dsj poetry





Ruth Arnison

You can't take a duck home

after Peter Olds

Unless it's in a ready to roast bag
or, full of shot & preferably
plucked.

Unless it's camouflaged & about
to head out again with the boys
to the maimai.

Unless it's plastic, yellow, has a
bubbly personality & can withstand
a regular dipping.

Unless you've been rehearsing for
Oklahoma & the unfortunate
duck didn't scurry in time.

Unless you've gone out with a duck
& then, you have to bring it home,
that's the score.






Ruth has had poems and short stories published in literary journals, anthologies, and ezines in NZ, Australia, the UK and US. She is the editor of Poems in the Waiting Room (NZ)




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